Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Fashion
The Grocer's Shop at Christmas - drawn by Foster, 1850. Creator: Edmund Evans
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
The Grocer's Shop at Christmas - drawn by Foster, 1850. Creator: Edmund Evans
The Grocer's Shop at Christmas - drawn by Foster, 1850. Shoppers queuing to buy dried fruit to make plum puddings. Illustration to a story by John Oxenford. Fine combinations of saccharine splendour for the eyes; Kings and Queens, ill-formed but gorgeously gilt and frosted for the eyes; pippin-paste involved into curious scrolls...But the interest of the Grocer's shop on Christmas Eve penetrates far more deeply into the soul of the surveying crowd. Many, many of them...hope to share practically in the boiled luxury...[The plum pudding] does not represent a class or a caste, but the bulk of the English nation. There is not a man, woman, or child...that does not expect to taste a plum-pudding of some sort or other on Christmas Day. The admiration paid to the Grocer's shop-window on Christmas Eve is easily explained, when we regard the plum-pudding as the great national symbol...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 36201784
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Advert Advertisement Bonnet Bonnets Christmas Christmas Eve Christmas Pudding Coffee Dried Fruit Edmund Evans Edmund William Evans Evans Edmund Evans Edmund William Foster Groceries Grocers Grocers Shop Grocery Store Ingredient Ingredients Patriotic Patriotism Plum Pudding Pudding Queue Queuing Rationing Raw Materials Sandwich Board Shop Window Shopper Shoppers Shortage Shortages Sign Signs Sugar Window Display British Empire Raisin Raisins Sandwich Man
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> D
> William Day
> Arts
> Artists
> F
> John Foster
> Arts
> Artists
> W
> John White
> Arts
> Artists
> W
> William White
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Fashion
> Historic
> Historical fashion trends
> Victorian fashion trends
> Historic
> Victorian era fashion
> Popular Themes
> Religious Images
> Special Days
> Christmas
> Related Images
The Grocer's Shop at Christmas,
EDITORS COMMENTS
an exquisite drawing by Foster, published in the Illustrated London News in 1850, captures the essence of the holiday season in Victorian England. The scene depicts a bustling grocer's shop, where shoppers eagerly queue to purchase dried fruits for making plum puddings. The illustration accompanies a story by John Oxenford, who eloquently describes the shop as a symbol of national unity and tradition. The author pens, "Fine combinations of saccharine splendour for the eyes; Kings and Queens, ill-formed but gorgeously gilt and frosted for the eyes; pippin-paste involved into curious scrolls..." However, he suggests that the true allure of the grocer's shop on Christmas Eve transcends mere visual appeal. Instead, it touches the very soul of the onlookers. Many people, regardless of their class or caste, eagerly anticipate the taste of a plum pudding on Christmas Day. The plum pudding, Oxenford argues, is not a symbol of a particular social stratum but rather a shared experience among the English population. The admiration for the grocer's shop window on Christmas Eve becomes understandable when we consider the plum-pudding as the quintessential national symbol. Edmund Evans, the talented illustrator, masterfully brings this scene to life, capturing the spirit of the holiday season and the shared anticipation of a cherished tradition. This enchanting illustration serves as a testament to the enduring power of Christmas and the universal appeal of the plum pudding.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
